The Importance of Deprescribing: Shift Fuel’s Partnership with GeriatRx

The Importance of Deprescribing: Shift Fuel’s Partnership with GeriatRx

As a hospice nurse, I’ve seen firsthand the powerful benefits of deprescribing—the process of methodically reducing or stopping medications that may cause harm or are no longer beneficial. Throughout my career, I've cared for patients who were often overmedicated, and I witnessed the dramatic improvements in their quality of life once unnecessary drugs were removed from their regimen. In many cases, these patients were experiencing more harm than good from their medications, and it was deprescribing that helped them regain control of their health.

That’s why Shift Fuel is proud to partner with Dr. DeLon Canterbury and his incredible team at GeriatRx. Dr. Canterbury’s passion for patient care is nothing short of inspiring. His approach to treating his patients like family is a philosophy that resonates deeply with me as a nurse. I was introduced to Dr. Canterbury several years ago, and I’ve been in awe of his dedication to the community ever since. His personality brings comfort to patients and families alike, and he makes it easy to have those sometimes tough, but necessary, conversations about medication.

 Dr. DeLon Canterbury: A Pharmacist Who Treats Patients Like Family

My name is Dr. DeLon Canterbury, and I am a pharmacist committed to treating our patients as if they are my family. Nothing inspires me more than hearing stories about their cherished memories and life lessons, while gaining wisdom from so many high-spirited, almost unconquerable elderly patients," Dr. Canterbury shares.

Dr. Canterbury’s path to pharmacy was deeply influenced by his Guyanese roots, where plant-based and natural remedies were a staple in his family. After graduating from the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy in 2014, he devoted his career to serving low-income, rural communities. His journey as a pharmacist took on a deeper meaning when his grandmother, Mildred, began showing signs of rapid cognitive decline due to dementia. After moving from Brooklyn to Georgia to live with his parents, it was discovered that she had been prescribed duplicate medications, which caused severe side effects and accelerated her deterioration.

This moment of realization solidified Dr. Canterbury’s calling to help the most vulnerable populations, especially older adults, avoid the same fate. He founded GeriatRx to ensure that his patients receive the care they deserve, treating their loved ones as if they were his own family.

 Why Deprescribing Matters

Overprescribing is a serious issue, particularly for older adults. As the healthcare system often focuses on prescribing more medications to treat symptoms without addressing the root causes of conditions, many patients end up taking too many medications, leading to adverse effects and unnecessary complications.

This is where deprescribing comes in—a supervised process of reducing or stopping medications that may no longer be needed or could even be harmful. Here are some key reasons why deprescribing is vital:

1. Reducing Harm: Many older adults suffer from medication-related harm due to overprescribing. Deprescribing helps to minimize the risk of harmful side effects.

2. Improving Quality of Life: By eliminating unnecessary medications, patients often experience improvements in their mental clarity, physical health, and overall well-being.

3. Preventing Hospitalization: Polypharmacy—taking five or more medications—significantly increases the risk of hospitalization, cognitive decline, and even mortality in older adults. Deprescribing can help reduce these risks.

4. Empowering Caregivers: Caregivers play a crucial role as Deprescribing Advocates, asking the right questions and ensuring their loved ones aren’t overmedicated. You don’t need to be a healthcare professional to start deprescribing—you just need to care enough to ask questions like, “Are all these medications necessary?”

5. Pharmacists as Advocates: Pharmacists like Dr. Canterbury are essential in the deprescribing process. They serve as knowledgeable advocates who can help reduce medication-related harm by reviewing medications and providing expert advice.

6. Cost Savings: Deprescribing can prevent costly outcomes, such as unnecessary admissions to nursing homes, by identifying and removing harmful or unnecessary medications.

 How You Can Start the Deprescribing Conversation

One of the most important steps in deprescribing is starting a conversation with your healthcare provider. Use questions like:

- Are all of my medications vital and necessary for me to live a healthy life?
- Have there been any side effects that could be caused by my medications?

These simple questions can empower you and your loved ones to take control of your health and make informed decisions about your medications.

 Join the Movement

At Shift Fuel, we believe in the importance of providing more than just a great cup of coffee. Our mission is to support caregivers, healthcare professionals, and families in making informed health decisions. With our partnership with GeriatRx, we’re excited to help educate the community on the benefits of deprescribing, especially for older adults.

Let’s start the conversation today. If you’re concerned that you or a loved one may be taking too many medications, reach out to GeriatRx for guidance and support. Together, we can ensure that patients receive the care they need—without the unnecessary medications.

 
Ready to learn more about deprescribing and how it can improve the quality of life for you or a loved one? Visit GeriatRx or start the conversation with your healthcare provider today. Let’s take the first step in simplifying your medication and enhancing your health.

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Shift Fuel and GeriatRx—partnering for a healthier tomorrow.